Father Oscar Borda recently visited his home Diocese of Garagoa in Colombia, South America. He is most grateful for the prayers and financial support from the people of the Diocese of Charleston where he is serving as Pastor at St. James in Conway. His home parish, Saint Raphael Church, in Rondon is located in the eastern mountains of the Colombian Andes in the Diocese of Garagoa. Saint Raphael Parish is the home of some of the Colombian priests who were and are serving in the Diocese of Charleston for the past 35 years. They include Fr. Filemón Juya, (who passed away 11 years ago), Frs. Antonio Juya, Abdenago Vargas, Augusto Soler and of course Oscar Borda who supplied the information for this article and who continues to educate our Diocese about the life and the needs of the missions. Fr. Rodolfo Lache served as pastor of Saint Raphael for 9 years before being assigned to Batesburg, SC.
The town was founded in 1904 and the parish church was built 30 years later. Overtime it has been seriously deteriorating and thanks to the support from parishioners, the mission appeals through the office of Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Charleston they have been able to do an excellent job repairing the leaks, lighting, sound system, painting and installing a new altar and ambo.
The little farmers of the town have no resources to do the kind of repairs necessary to keep the church in usable condition. Thousands of people have left the area looking for employment elsewhere, those who remain are excited about the improvements they see in their beloved church thanks to your help.
The money raised this year will be used to replace the flooring in the church. It is difficult to find words of gratitude for the people of Charleston who have made such a huge impact on their brothers and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of Garagoa. Know that you are in their prayers. Thank you seems, such small words, for such a great impact.
